Oakland Business Lunch

[uhockey]

Hello,

Visiting the Bay Area in September and while my dinner agenda is nicely planned I'm in town principally for a job interview and part of that process is lunch on the day of my arrival.

Looking for recommendations on a good/great place between Oakland Airport and Concord - someplace relatively quiet where we can sit and talk and also someplace that isn't going to be trying to get us in and out as they are trying to prep for dinner service.

Open to all types of food, but probably nothing too esoteric since I don't know my interviewer's palate.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[bbulkow]

Flora.

[Pius Avocado III]

This may be OT but might it not ingratiate yourself with your inquisitors were you to allow them to pick the venue, thus allowing them control over the expense, amongst other things? As you point out, you don't know the tastes of the person you are attempting to win over.

When I interview people (our offices are in downtown Oakland), I have 2-3 places in mind and allow the candidate to select one.

[ML8000]

To me picking the meeting place as the interviewee is a loaded situation since this is about the job, not the food.

I'd let the interviewer pick because you steer clear of a whole matrix of stuff and you have less stuff to think about. Foremost, if the interviewer picks the place, he or she is likely to be in a better mood and grounded. I wouldn't want to guess on someone else's taste if a job was on the line.

That said, if you must choose, again I'd pick a safe/corporate type place...it's not unlike your choice of beverages at said lunch.

[uhockey]

A) I was told to pick. And I assure you, if an interviewer suggested a chain or somewhere deplorable I'd suggest otherwise. I've refused to eat at celebratory events before (residency awards banquets, etc.)
B) It is a bit different when the job needs you more than you need that specific job.
C) Let's not call it "interview," but rather a "getting to know more about you and telling you what we have to offer."

I'm thankful for the advice offered here.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[ML8000]

If they told you to pick and they need you more and this is a meet and greet...I'd call this a pricing and compatibility test. Best of luck.

[Ruth Lafler]

Reading your actual question, it seems it doesn't have to be in Oakland, but "between Oakland Airport and Concord." Given that, I'd suggest Postino in Lafayette, which I think is perfectly suited to a long business lunch.

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Postino
3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549

[uhockey]

That is a nice looking menu - could work really well, actually.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[Cindy]

Lake Chalet might work well for an interview setting, and there's enough menu choices for all types of eaters.

[JasmineG]

Lake Chalet is lovely, but the food is not. Of the choices here, Wood Tavern has the best food, and if you sit in the window it's not that loud at lunchtime (make the window request). Bocanova is fine, but a little hit or miss to me -- every time I go there, I have at least something that I like a lot and something that I don't like at all.

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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607

[ML8000]

Any place that's good is likely to be crowded and a bit noisy. A boring corporate/safe, quiet place is where I'd pick. Spenger's, Scott's Seafood would be just that and you can hold a real conversation.

Might consider Bocanova, also in Jack London Square like Scott's. Nicer, better food but seems safe for a business. Also easy parking in the underground garage.

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Scott's Seafood
855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607

[escargot3]

I agree with ML8000 all the way. at Bocanova, you also have the option to sit outside and not be effected by a possibly noisy interior. I think the food is great.

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Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607

[wolfe]

Uncle Dougies

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Uncle Dougie's
362 17th St, Oakland, CA 94612

[hyperbowler]

Uncle Dougie's is way too casual for a business lunch. Plus, there's nothing worse than dribbling tomato sauce from a hero on your suit!

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Uncle Dougie's
362 17th St, Oakland, CA 94612

[Robert Lauriston]

Plum (Coi spinoff). Lunch menu is relatively conventional. I think this is a lunch menu:

http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/menu/1542...

Oliveto (upstairs), Bocanova, or Pican are probably all good choices for that purpose.

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Pican Restaurant
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Oliveto Restaurant
5655 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Plum
2214 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

[uhockey]

Any thoughts on Wood Tavern?

and - if the doc I'm interviewing with is more adventurous, how is the volume/atmosphere at Burma Superstar?

Thanks.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

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Burma Superstar Restaurant
309 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

[chefj]

Both of those places are loud. Wood Tavern the loudest of the 2. Burma Superstar is loud and in my opinion not all that great when it come as to Burmese food. lots of hype though )-:

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Burma Superstar Restaurant
309 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

[Leely2]

Agree on Burma Superstar.

Is Wood Tavern loud at lunch? I've only had dinner there. We've had work functions at Bocanova in the past. Good food and roomy enough feeling for a biz lunch I would think.

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Burma Superstar Restaurant
309 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607

[chefj]

It's busy so it is loud.

[uhockey]

Bocanova looks promising. Thanks.

Probably will go with that, Plum, or Pican.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

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Pican Restaurant
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607

[escargot3]

re. Plum: would you really want to sit on a bench -- without a back support -- for a business meeting? especially an interview?

[uhockey]

No. I wouldn't. Hence the point of this thread. It was recommended above but your input claerly makes it a less ideal choice.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[pamf]

It is also all communal tables, once again not ideal for an interview.